ACC Forum in Bandung Reinvigorates Regional TVET Exchange

On 4 December, the ASEAN (Indonesia) - China TVET Exchange Forum was successfully held in Bandung, Indonesia. The event was organized by the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and gained generous support from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in China, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) and TVET institutions, businesses from both Indonesia and China. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ACC and representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Indonesian Ministry of Education (MOE) and Indonesian Embassy in China addressed the event. More than 150 delegates and experts from Chinese and Indonesian enterprises and vocational colleges gathered at the event, to exchange ideas in furthering pragmatic cooperation between Indonesia and China.  

Shi Zhongjun highlighted the importance of TVET cooperation between ASEAN and China, with Indonesia as an important player. As the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership making steadfast progress, a joint statement was released at the 27th ASEAN-China Summit, calling for deepening ASEAN-China people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, especially in education, youth and other fields. The ACC has actively organized a number of activities, aiming to promote two-way TVET exchanges between China and ASEAN countries. Upon the 70th anniversary of the proposal of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, the ACC has specially arranged the Forum in Bandung, hoping that the relevant parties can make better use of their professional strength, and uphold integrity, promote innovation, and finally serve regional economic and social development and bilateral friendship under the guidance of the “Bandung Spirit”.

Representatives from Indonesian MFA, MOE and the Indonesian Embassy in China applauded that, as the most populous country in ASEAN and a regional emerging economy, Indonesia places emphasis on the cultivation of skilled workforces to meet the requirements of industrial upgrading, technology development and international competition. Indoneisa-China educational cooperation, especially in language exchanges and professional training, will energize Indonesia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. They appreciated the ACC's continuous efforts in promoting cooperation between Indonesia and China and would like to strengthen educational collaboration and youth exchanges jointly with the ACC in 2025 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges.

Representatives from Indonesian and Chinese TVET colleges and business conducted in-depth discussion about talent cultivation and industry-education integration and jointly explored new opportunities and models for cooperation between enterprises and universities. Cooperation agreements were signed among business and TVET partners from both sides.

This event is part of the 2024 ACC TVET Trip to ASEAN, which aims to bring Chinese TVET stakeholders to ASEAN Member States, to boost mutual exchange, and facilitate cooperation between institutions and enterprises from both sides. During the stay in Indonesia, the delegation visited educational institutions for exchanges, including the University of Indonesia(UI), Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta(UMJ) and Politeknik Manufaktur Bandung (POLMAN).